The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-10-22
NUMBER 26.
NEWLY PLANTED TREES.
Care That should re Bestowed on Them
Before Winter Sets In.

Assuming that tfee-planting Is done
in spring-as nine-tenths Of 1t unde-
niably is-we find the first season sue
ceeding its planting by far the most
critical time in the history. During
these first few months the tree must
establish itself to preserve its very life,
and in addition to this must perhaps
accustom itself to an entirely different
climate from that in which it originated.
A large portion of the trees planted
are propagated hundreds of miles from
the final place of planting. From
natural fruit or timber country they are
perhaps removed to an open, treeless
one where the condition of moisture,
shelter and climate are not favorable to
tree growth and thrift.
speak of these things to more forci-
bly, remind my readers that newly
planted trees can not be too carefully
managed-that the chances under such
sweeping changes are against them
with the most judicious management.
What this management should be l
will endeavor to show. Every farmer
of observation and experience has in
his minds eye, if not on his farm, a
certain schedule or set of conditions OF
soil filth and manure that are insep-
arably connected with good crops and
generally satisfactory condition OF
things. So long rs the ground is hard
and packed about his corn rows, OF
grass and seeds predominant, he does
not feel that the conditions warrant
him in expecting good crop of corn.
He feels, if he does not say, that the
proper conditions do not there exist fol
a good crop of grass. il his meadow
land is hard tread and packed with toe
many years seeding and pasturage.
His conscience should be equally acute
in the management of his trees. fee
positively guilty when see the ground
dry, hard and packed about any young
trees, for confess it occurs more fire.
quently than it should. Imay be little
more sensitive with respect to trees thar
| the run of men, because | have made
that line of work something of spec
ialty and study. And after all it is I
matter OF education rather than OF con
soience--unless indeed il is one and thu
same, as many claim that conscience i
but the result of education.
For many of us have been educated Il
the belief that the tree thrives best with
| out cultivation, and needs but little car
of any kind after its roots have beef
covered with earth This doctrine i
taught in positive as well as mega
| tive form. A little thought and inves
tigation, however, will soon prove tn
fallacy of such teachings. In these frs
few months. the great work of establish
ing the tree falls upon the roots, o
course. They must extend themselve
in the soil. gain firm hold, and at tn
same time support the top. The yer.
best conditions are necessary to this re
suit. The growth of tree roots, like tha
of corn, need the best soil conditions
They need all that good filth can brin
characterization, moisture and availf
BILE fertility. Perhaps | might well ad
| 10 THESE, rOOb-p uhihS. AV""S icN'" 49,
not do well in hard, packed soil
Irregular cultivation is not given
young trees-they should certainly r.
ceive generous mulching. Mulchin
serves TO keep the earth mellow, retain
| moisture for the roots, and prevent
growth of weeds and grass. The tre'
cultivation and mulching might well c
together, replacing the mulching aftt
each cultivation.
1t will often be noticed that new
planted trees hardly get sufficiently e
tablished to throw out much growth
the fore part of the season, but If la
summer and autumn be warm al
moist watery growth shoots out vii
wonderful rapidity. This is not d
sirable or healthy growth, and shou
, be choked by light clipping back.
, pruning. BY checking the grow
here, the perfected sap is sent down
/ the roots in an increased volume al
/; will perform work there that
t needed, in the way of root extension
} The greatest drawback to successf
, tree growth especially upon our ri'
5 Western prairie, is the preponderan
: of top over root growth. Work JUG
t ciously to establish an equilibrium b
, tween the two. say nothing again
natures methods. but do say tn
Q man has something to do, too.
e natures line of work.-W ID. Boynto
: IN, Westera PloDn1dn.